Entry
Mendoza’s article is surrounded around what transnational feminism is and why the constructs that make transnational feminism what it is need to change in order to become an ideology that can be utilized by all. Mendoza’s “analysis focuses on women’s rights as a human rights movement and the transnationalization of Latin American feminisms” (p.295). There are problems within transnational feminism as there are within any feminist praxis. The article discusses the differences in accessibility of voices being heard between Western and Third World women and provides tactics we can all utilize to break down the colonial barriers that exist not only in feminism but globally. Mendoza educates the reader in a clear cut, easy to read way that lays out both the ground work and framework for change.
Rationale
Mendoza’s article provides excellent explanations of transnational feminism, global sisterhood, local versus global paradigm and many other important concepts. What I appreciate about this article is that Mendoza also discusses the gaps in transnational feminism and provides a great analysis of how colonial structures still have a vice grip around feminism. Mendoza does not shy away from the fact that Western feminism is not what it is made out to be. Cooperative and supportive work needs to take place between Western and ‘Third World’ feminists. There are valuable parts to each feminism but in order for transnational feminism to create a space for “a more literal meaning based on the concrete experiences of transnational organizing of women across the globe” (p.296).
This article is important to the intersectional, decolonial transnational praxis as it makes a space for people to understand transnational feminism and the good it can do but also makes space for the misconceptions and falsehoods that are associated with this concept. This source may not be accessible to all but I suggest finding someone with access to the source (an individual enrolled in university or an educator) to get access as it is a great source to expand your knowledge. Mendoza’s article is great place to start if you are looking to decolonize the feminist praxis through an intersectional lens.
URL/Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/146470002762492015
Keywords: transnationalism, western feminism, third world feminism, global, colonial
Author: H Dimes
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